AA just announced turn down service in FC 777 international flights to London starting 01SEP, to be expanded to all 777 Intl FC flights on 01OCT. It includes a quilted bed topper for the FC suite, a new amenity kit, a light-weight blanket, pajamas, slippers, a premium duvet and pillow. 777, 767 and 757 business class will also have the same premium duvet, pillow, slippers and amenity kit.

That is really good. I believe this is a much needed amenity to further differentiate J from F. This service also helps BA and AA have more similar products, especially with the new seats/suites to be introduced on the 773s. (Recognizing there is still a ways to go before they are close to being the same.)
This will also makes AA the only US carrier to offer these amenities.

I will say the new amenity kits are a huge improvement over the previous ones, especially the experience of them. There will be a light blanket (or day blanket) offered but I wonder if the heavy duvet will also be available?

Ah, beat me to it, lol! While I'm excited we're going to offer these new premium products, springing this new information on flight attendants three days before it takes effect is not exactly the best thing. It would have been nice if they "briefed" us on these changes before hand, and showcased the new products at base so we knew what the heck we're dealing with. The pax will have to forgive us as we fumble through making passengers their beds.

Either way, these are positive changes and I hope they are indicative of more amenities and benefits to come, not just for premium cabin customers, but all customers. I'm sad to lose the Burt's Bees products in the amenities kits, however.

The views expressed are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect my employer’s views.

It is amazing the amount of good will a simple dessert has been able to generate for AA and DL.

Nice to see these improvements. I've alweays felt turn down was one of those services that's de rigeur in F. And Dermalogica is a great choice over using some licensed nothing product like so many seem to do.

Quoting etops1 (Reply 9):I think that doing this is stupid and a waist of money they could be saving trying to get their airline back to profitibility

I disagree, its a nice idea but they need to upgrade the F & J offering IMHO opinion first and really go to down. Their F suite is screaming out to be replaced and they need a fully flat J seat. I know its a hell of a lot of money but in the long term I am sure they will see the benefits and it would put them on a more even par with BA on the NY/LON Shuttle route. BAs new F class I think looks great and oozes class.

From the AA Press Release:
"Beginning Sept. 1, customers traveling onboard American's flights between the U.S. and London Heathrow (LHR) will be among the first to enjoy the new offerings. First Class customers traveling onboard Boeing 777s between the U.S. and Heathrow will receive a quilted bed topper custom-designed to fit American's popular Flagship Suite, pajamas and slippers as part of the airline's new turndown service. A lightweight day blanket, new premium duvet and pillow, and an amenity kit featuring a bag with an authentic Eames Office® design pattern and containing Dermalogica® skincare products and other travel necessities complete the new suite of amenities."

Quoting etops1 (Reply 9):In The current financial state that AA is in, I think that doing this is stupid and a waist of money they could be saving trying to get their airline back to profitibility

I think this has something to do with BAs ways since ATI as they have long since had the bed toppers and turn down service and it just makes sense that AA will try include a few BA services which they lack. I would not rule out BAs eastern US eastbound "sleeper service" coming to AA either.

Yeah, I too am baffled by waiting until 3 days before starting to let the flight attendants know about it. Guess it was a media thing, probably doesn't take too much to figure it out, plus with the contract negotiations on going (and on and on and on), I guess that made them keep it under wraps.

Quoting etops1 (Reply 9):
In The current financial state that AA is in, I think that doing this is stupid and a waist of money they could be saving trying to get their airline back to profitibility .

Business and First class fares makes AA tons of cash. Having a product that caters to those who pay premium fares is a logical step if they want to be competitive. If you look at what their OW partners offer in First, take a look at CX, QF and BA for example. AA has always been subpar, so this is great news and money well spent.

Quoting jdairceo (Reply 12):Apparently these were unpopular becuase they were somewhat greasy and smelled too strong.

That is true of the lotion, but it was recently reformulated and packaged resulting in a much more desirable product. The lip balm was by far the favorite. It will be missed! Plus, I love that Burt's Bees products are natural, locally made (Durham, NC), and that they pump millions into conservation and to helping honey bees and their plight.

The views expressed are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect my employer’s views.

25 LDVAviation
: Anyone else find the color scheme of the new amenity kits interesting? Could this be a preview of any new branding scheme, premised on black and a cor

26 crAAzy
: I think there are at lest some flight attendants that knew about this well in advance .... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...age/1243818-pyjamas

27 jdairceo
: I agree with you there but at least the mints are local (Boone, NC). I think it's nice. They are finally moving to something that looks more upscale

28 fxramper
: Do people actually sleep in jammies on a 6 hr flight? Are they gonna make me go change so they can 'turn down' the blanket? This is a waste because Ho

29 qqflyboy
: I had heard here and there from management the company was considering such things, but nothing concrete and no time frame was provided. The passenge

30 rafabozzolla
: As long as they manage to reduce the duvet bulk. It may be not important for F, but for us who fly J (poor us, LOL) the bulky duvet is awkward and sp

31 Airvan00
: I think these little things make a difference. The ice cremes handed out after the meal in Y on Qantas creates a happy cabin.

32 LipeGIG
: That's an interesting development. I will begin my new collection of them soon on my next 8 flights on J or F now that i have such option. Finally a m

33 fbgdavidson
: When do the 773s come to AA? Indeed, if this is the case it's not the best. It looks woefully unprofessional when an enhancement to the service is po

34 divemaster08
: This sounds like a move to make them more on the same 'level' of service that BA offer on the JFK route also. I mean its a step in the right direction

35 smi0006
: I have been on several QF flights in both J and F and as soon as the crew handout PJs most people change into them frequently on the ground, the rest

36 usdcaguy
: For the uninitiated, it's spelled s-u-n-d-a-e and has nothing to do with a day of the week. To me, it seems to be a guy thing as I don't often see wo

37 Delimit
: All I know is that either DL or AA (think it was DL) took the sundae off their menu in an attempt to class up their offering and their FFs went into o

38 LHRFlyer
: They are an additional option and they are also offered in BA Club World on North American routes. It's good that both AA and BA are both taking step

39 BA174
: AA have a stupid mis match uniform concept. If I was AA management I would convert all staff to be in the grey suit and yellow tie/cravat design comp

40 briboy
: I think you hit the nail on the head here. They are popular with Americans. It is good to hear they are offering them as an extra option on BA as wel

41 Delta2ual
: I think this is a great service and, once again shows AA's commitment to LHR and their First (and Business) class products.

42 Delta2ual
: Just spoke to an AA F/A friend who said the F/A's are already talking about taking the blankets home for their kids. No wonder this company can't make

43 Aeroflot001
: Yes the grey Jacket is (I think) the "Flagship" jacket, While on the ground and after takeoff on longhauls that I have flown such as EZE-MIA, MIA-SCL

44 Aeroflot001
: Do we know if this will actually be a turndown service where there is a mattress with a sheet over the mattress and/seat and then the Blanket or simpl

45 fbgdavidson
: You have a very good memory! That was four years ago now I wrote about that, and yes I did get some peculiar looks and remarks from one of the FAs. H

46 laca773
: A positive thing about Burt's Bees is they are made in America and the lip balm is great stuff. However, when you're paying $10,000., or more for a F

47 MAH4546
: Fall 2012. AA attempted to phase out the ice cream and heard nothing but complaints. Americans are not ones for fancy dessert...we like our ice cream

48 qqflyboy
: I guess that's the sad thing to me, because I regard Burt's Bees as a far better product than most, and indeed it costs more than most common brands

49 isitsafenow
: Sorry Mr.Ttrump, I didn't mean to ruffle your feathers. I do end up in F more times than I count on. Thanks to DL and good ole NW....sorry to see you

50 commavia
: I still think the old Origins kits were the nicest ones in recent memory.